Healthy Behavioral Choices and Adherence to Recommended Cancer Screening among US Adults: National Health Interview Survey 2005

Purpose: We investigated associations of healthy behaviors and cancer screening in a large sample from the US population Methods: This analysis used the data from 2005 National Health Interview Survey and included adults at age?18 years that completed the cancer questionnaires (15,995,240 cancer survivors and 201,590,979 respondents without cancer). Self?reported information on cancer history, healthy behaviors (body mass index [BMI], smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, fruit?vegetable consumption, and sunscreen use) was extracted from survey questionnaires. We examined associations of healthy behaviors and screening practices with survivorship status, overall and by gender. Results: Overall, cancer survivors were more likely to be obese, to be current or former smokers, to use sunscreen regularly, and to follow recommended cancer screenings. Female cancer survivors were more likely to be former or current smokers as compared to their cancer?free counterparts (former: OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.22?1.69; current: OR=1.74, 95%CI 1.44?2.10), more likely to consume alcohol below the recommended limit (OR=1.20, 95%CI 1.01? 1.43) and to follow recommended cancer screenings. Male cancer survivors were more likely to be former smokers (OR=1.24, 95%CI 1.03?1.50) and to have inadequate fruit?vegetable intake (OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.03?1.80). Conclusion: Certain cancer survivor groups can benefit from tailored preventive services addressing concerns related to selected healthy behaviors and screening practices.